Apparatus and method for the transport of web-like material

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for the transport of web-like material, in particular printed webs or packets of printed webs fed from a fold former positioned downstream of a printing machine with a roll that can be driven and against which pressure-application rolls can be adjustably pressed is disclosed. A high degree of working and operational security can be achieved by arranging that the pressure-application rolls are carried by a relevant assigned position-setting assembly which exhibits at least one actuating element capable of receiving an impulse from a pressure-applying agent, where the impulse from the pressure-applying agent can be controlled according to a pre-settable timing sequence by a control device.

This application claims the priority of German Patent Document No. 102005 042 439.2, filed Sep. 7, 2005, the disclosure of which is expresslyincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an apparatus and method for the transport ofweb-like material, in particular printed webs or packets of printed websfed from a fold former positioned downstream of a printing machine witha roll that can be driven and against which pressure-application rollscan be adjustably pressed.

The pressure-application rolls together with the driven draw-rolls, forman in-draw gap. It is necessary, therefore, to take measures toeffectively prevent the risk of fingers being crushed. In the knownarrangements a protective hood is provided for the pressure applicationrollers. This certainly offers adequate protection against the risk offingers being crushed. It is a disadvantage, however, that theprotective hood prevents a clear view being obtained of the in-draw gapand of the transported web material. A quite special disadvantage isthat the space between a protective hood and a pressure-application rollcan become smaller which leads to the pressure-application roller beingblocked. Experience has shown that when webs of paper are beingprocessed so-called spaghetti-formation often develops as a consequenceof the faulty adjustment of slitting knives, etc., in that the spaghetticollects between one or more protective hoods and the associatedpressure-application rolls and block them after a period of time. Thisresults in the affected pressure-application rolls grinding on thedriven draw-rolls which leads to the flattening and, consequently, tothe destruction of the pressure-application rolls.

Taking this as a starting point, it is therefore the object of thepresent invention to improve an arrangement of the type described abovewith simple and economic means such that the use of a protective hoodcan be dispensed with while nevertheless providing adequate protectionagainst the risk of fingers being crushed.

This objective is achieved according to the invention in that thepressure-application rolls are carried by a relevant assignedposition-setting assembly which exhibits at least one actuating elementcapable of receiving an impulse from a pressure-applying agent, wherethe impulse from the pressure-applying agent can be controlled accordingto a pre-settable timing sequence by a control device.

These measures offer the possibility in an advantageous manner that theposition-setting procedure does not have to operate suddenly as beforebut rather that it can proceed comparatively slowly and/or in severalstages. This ensures that that an operator, who when adjusting thesetting of the pressure-application rolls—an activity which in manycases requires direct vision of the relevant pressure-applicationroll—must insert his/her fingers into the danger area to detect theadjustment movement of the pressure-application roll, has sufficienttime to withdraw his/her fingers before the position-setting procedureis completed or the full application of pressure takes effect. It ispossible, therefore, advantageously to dispense with all otherprotective measures. Also advantageously, there is consequently nolonger any danger that a pressure-application roll can be blocked in theevent of spaghetti build-up and destroyed as a result. In addition toproviding a high level of working safety, the measures according to theinvention accordingly guarantee a high level of process security andfreedom from the risk of breakdown which has a beneficial effect uponthe overall economic situation.

Thus, the control device can expediently exhibit a control valve whichis designed as a proportioning valve and arranged in a supply line whichprovides a pressure-applying agent and is assigned to theposition-setting assembly. With the assistance of a proportioning valveit is possible to achieve in an advantageous manner not only any desiredtiming sequence but also any desired final level of applied pressure—andto do so in a simple way.

A further extension of the present invention is that the control valvecan be controlled by a memory-endowed computer in which the desiredtiming sequence together with, preferably the desired level of appliedpressure is stored. This ensures an automatic implementation of theposition-setting procedure. A further advantage is that in the event ofa change in the desired timing sequence, etc., only the relevantsoftware needs to be amended. It is therefore possible to adapt to thecircumstances of the individual situation in a simple manner.

In a further extension of the present invention, the position-settingassembly can exhibit a housing block with two projectable pistons whereeach one seals off a working space which can receive an impulse from apressure-applying agent and where the ends protruding out of the housingblock are connected by a yoke upon which is securely mounted at leastone appropriate axle carrying at least one pressure-application roll.The twin pistons provided here with the yoke carrying the axle provide ahigh degree of stability and consequently very smooth running of thepressure-application roller. In addition, the integration of thecylinder-piston frame in a housing block results in a very compactarrangement.

A further expedient advantage can be that at least one returnpositioning spring in the housing block is assigned to the yoke.Consequently, the piston can be designed as simple operating pistonswhich permits a simple form of construction.

Further advantageous developments and expedient extensions of theoverriding measures of the present invention are provided in greaterdetail in the example description below and by reference to thedrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a partial view of the upper part of a folding section witha fold former and an associated in-draw arrangement;

FIG. 2 shows a pressure-application roll with an associatedposition-setting assembly in the fully engaged position;

FIG. 3 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 2 in the disengagedposition;

FIG. 4 shows an applied pressure/time diagram; and

FIG. 5 shows a view of a pressure-application roller arranged so as tobe laterally displaceable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a fold former 2 arranged in the upper part 1 of afolding section to which a web packet consisting of several webs imposedupon one another is directed and which come from an upstream printingmachines not shown in any greater detail here. For this purpose, theindividual webs leaving the printing machine run over a so-called harpconsisting of several in-feed rolls 3, the deflection rolls 4 and thein-draw devices 5 arranged successively. Each of the in-draw devices 5consists of a draw-roll 7 extending the full width of the machine andpowered by an assigned drive motor 6 where adjustablepressure-application rolls (trolleys) 8 can be pushed against thedraw-roll. The pressure-application rolls 8 are mounted on freelyrotating bearings and rotate solely under the influence of friction.

The pressure-application rolls 8 can be positioned against or away fromthe relevant assigned draw-roll 7. All the pressure-application rolls 8or selected pressure-application rolls may be involved. To serve thispurpose, the pressure-application rolls 8 are mounted in aposition-setting assembly 9 which permits the pressure-application roll8 to move at right angles to its axis. As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3each position-setting assembly 9 contains a housing block 10 with anintegrated cylinder-piston arrangement to effect the desired adjustmentof the assigned pressure-application roll 8. To that end, the housingblock 10 is provided with two bored holes which run in the engaged anddisengaged position-setting direction. These holes are closed at therear by a fitting 11 and each of them is penetrated internally by alength of shaft functioning as a piston 12 which together with thefitting 11 demarcates a working space 14 which can be dynamically filledthrough a supply line 13 by a pressure medium, preferably compressedair. The ends of the pistons 12 remote from the working space 14protrude out of the housing block 10 and they are connected to oneanother by a yoke 15 forming a portal-like configuration whichguarantees high stability. A protruding axle 16 is secured to the yoke15 on which the relevant assigned pressure-application roll 8 is mountedin a manner permitting free rotation. The axle 16 is flatted where itsits on the yoke 15 to provide plane contact surfaces.

The pistons 12 are designed as simple working pistons which whenpressure is applied to the relevant assigned working space 14 are pushedaway from the basic driven-in position illustrated in FIG. 3 to thebasic driven-out position illustrated in FIG. 2. The reverse motion iseffected by a return positioning spring 17. To facilitate this thehousing block 10 is provided with a central bored hole 18 into which apin 19 attached to the yoke 15 penetrates. The yoke side of the boredhole 18 is closed by a fitting 20 which is pierced by the pin 19. Theside of the pin 19 that is remote from the yoke is provided with aspring plate 21. The return spring 17 is supported on one side by thefitting 20 and on the other side by the spring plate 21. In the courseof the position-setting procedure, i.e., when driving out the pistons12, the return positioning spring 17 is compressed. As soon as thepressure in the working spaces 14 drops, the return positioning spring17 pushes back the yoke 15 and the pressure-application roll 8 carriedupon it from the basic engaged position shown in FIG. 2 to the basicdisengaged position shown in FIG. 3 in which the pistons 12 are drivenup to the stop on the rear-mounted fittings 11 in the housing block 10.

In order to prevent any risk of fingers being crushed, theposition-setting movement of the pressure-application rolls 8 does nottake place suddenly, but rather, slowly and or in several stages withincreasing speed. To that end, as depicted in FIG. 2, a control valve 22is arranged in the common supply line 13 from a source of pressure whichis not illustrated in any more detail to the two working spaces 14 inthe housing block 10. Expediently, this valve is designed as aproportioning valve and by its use the generation of pressure in theworking spaces 14 can be controlled such that a desired timing sequenceis obtained for the generation of pressure in the working spaces and,consequently, of the setting and application of pressure upon thepressure-application rolls 8. A control device 23 is provided toactivate the control valve 22, which control device expediently containsa computer into the memory of which the desired timing sequence can bestored.

As mentioned above, the generation of pressure in the working spaces 14and, correspondingly, the execution of the position-setting procedurecan proceed slowly or in several stages. A multistage position-settingand pressure-application procedure is illustrated in FIG. 4. Thefunction 24 depicted schematically in FIG. 4 schematically shows thecourse of the level of applied pressure with time.

In a first stage here, the pressure-application roll 8 is placed againstthe assigned draw-roll 7 with no or negligible force. In a second stagethere is a progressive increase in the level of applied pressure up to adesired norm value which develops in a linear or slow manner. It isexpedient if in the first stage the level of applied pressure is onlyslightly higher than the return force exerted by the return positioningspring 17. The selected norm value for the second stage, i.e., the finalapplication pressure, can also be stored in the memory of the computer.In the case of different product situations, e.g., wide format ortabloid format, different norm values can be stored so that the normvalue can also vary.

The first stage can be started by a switching procedure where thepressure rises comparatively quickly to the abovementioned strength ofthe return positioning spring 17, which is indicated by the stage “s”.Continued switching from the first to the second stage can result from atime-function element in the control device 23 which is initiated at thebeginning of the first stage and continues the switching procedure atthe end of the second stage. It is also conceivable to arrange for thefurther switching procedure from the first to the second stage to bedependent upon the operating circumstances of the printing machine, forexample, the instant of the first instruction to run, i.e., thecommencement of printing. To achieve this, the control device 23 can beconnected to the control system of the printing machine as is indicatedby an input 25. To facilitate a manual start the control device isprovided with an input 27 connected to a switch 26. The first stage canalso be started by this means. It is also conceivable to start the firststage automatically in dependence upon the operating circumstances ofthe printing machine, for example at the completion of the feed-throughoperation.

Once the second stage has commenced, the pressure rises comparativelyslowly along the ramp “r” to the abovementioned norm value. In theillustrated example the ramp r is linear. A non-linear or stepped riseis, however, also conceivable.

The pressure-application rolls 8 are positioned only in thepressure-free areas of the relevant web in motion. Correspondingly, thepressure-application rolls 8 can be arranged to be adjustable over thewidth of the machine. To that end and as can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 5,each position-setting assembly 9 which carries a pressure-applicationroll 8 is provided with a carriage 28 which accepts the appropriatehousing block 10 and which is displaceably mounted on a traverse 29extending across the width of the machine. The position of the carriages28 can be changed either manually or by powered means, for example by amotor-driven threaded shaft, and then locked in the desired position.This is effected by a clamping device which is shown in FIG. 5 only byits activation lever 30.

In the illustrated example the clamping device for locking the relevantassigned carriage 28 is operated manually by the activation lever 30. Inthe case of motorized adjustment of the position of the carriage 28 itis also possible to provide mechanically operated locking by, forexample, an electromagnetic device.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

-   -   1 Upper part of a folding section    -   2 Fold former    -   3 In-feed rolls    -   4 Deflection rolls    -   5 In-draw devices    -   6 Drive motor    -   7 Draw-roll    -   8 Pressure-application rolls    -   9 Position-setting assembly    -   10 Housing block    -   11 Fitting    -   12 Piston    -   13 Supply line    -   14 Working space    -   15 Yoke    -   16 Axle    -   17 Return positioning spring    -   18 Bored hole    -   19 Pin    -   20 Fitting    -   21 Spring plate    -   22 Control value    -   23 Control device    -   24 Ramp function    -   25 Input    -   26 Switch    -   27 Input    -   28 Carriage    -   29 Traverse    -   30 Activation lever

The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate theinvention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of thedisclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of theinvention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention shouldbe construed to include everything within the scope of the appendedclaims and equivalents thereof.

1. An apparatus for the transport of web-like material, in particularprinted webs or packets of printed webs fed from a fold formerpositioned downstream of a printing machine with a draw roll and againstwhich a pressure-application roll can be adjustably pressed, wherein thepressure-application roll is carried by an assigned position-settingassembly which includes at least one actuating element which receives animpulse from a pressure-applying agent, wherein the impulse from thepressure-applying agent is controllable according to a pre-settabletiming sequence by a control device.
 2. The apparatus according to claim1, wherein a control valve controlled by the control device is arrangedin a device which provides the pressure-applying agent and is assignedto the actuating element.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, whereinthe control valve is a proportioning valve.
 4. The apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the control device contains a computer with a memoryin which the timing sequence is stored.
 5. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the impulse from the pressure-applying agent to theactuating element is effected in two stages, wherein in a first stagethe pressure-application roll is pressed against the draw roll without aforce and wherein in a second stage the force is increased rapidly to aprescribed norm value.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, whereinthe norm value is stored in the control device.
 7. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein a final positioning force of thepressure-application roll is variable in dependence upon a currentproduction of the apparatus.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 5,wherein switching to the second stage takes place in dependence upon anoperating circumstance of the printing machine.
 9. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the control device is connected to acontrol system of the printing machine.
 10. The apparatus according toclaim 5, wherein the control device contains a time function elementwhich effects a switching to the second stage.
 11. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the position-setting assembly contains ahousing block that defines a bore hole, wherein a piston is disposedwithin the bore hole, and wherein the bore hole includes a workingspace.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the actuatingelement includes two parallel pistons arranged in a housing block of thepositioning-setting assembly, wherein each piston seals off a workingspace which receives the impulse from the pressure applying agent, andwherein an end of each piston protruding out of the housing block isconnected by a yoke upon which is mounted at least one axle carrying thepressure-application roll.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 12,wherein at least one return positioning spring in the housing block isassigned to the actuating element.
 14. The apparatus according to claim13, wherein the return positioning spring engages with the yoke whereinan end of the spring remote from the yoke lies against a spring plateconnected to the yoke by a penetrating spindle and wherein an end of thespring adjacent to the yoke lies against a stop in a side of the housingblock.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theposition-setting assembly is provided with a carriage which is mountedin a displaceable manner upon a traverse and is lockable in position bya clamping device.
 16. An apparatus for the transport of a web-likematerial fed from a fold former positioned downstream of a printingmachine, comprising: a draw roll; a position-setting assembly includinga pressure-application roll, wherein the position-setting assembly movesthe pressure-application roll to a first position where thepressure-application roll engages the draw roll and a second positionwhere the pressure-application roll is disengaged from the draw roll;and a control device, wherein the control device is coupled to theposition-setting assembly and provides a pre-settable timing signal tothe position-setting assembly to control the movement of thepressure-application roll.
 17. The apparatus according to claim 16,wherein the pre-settable timing signal controls the movement of thepressure-application roll such that when the position-setting assemblymoves the pressure-application roll to the first position where thepressure-application roll engages the draw roll, the position-settingassembly moves the pressure-application roll to a first engagementpressure and a second engagement pressure, wherein the second engagementpressure is greater than the first engagement pressure.
 18. Theapparatus according to claim 17, wherein the first engagement pressureincreases linearly over a period of time to the second engagementpressure.
 19. A method for the transport of a web-like material fed froma fold former positioned downstream of a printing machine, comprisingthe steps of: moving a pressure-application roll by a position-settingassembly to a first position where the pressure-application roll engagesa draw roll and a second position where the pressure-application roll isdisengaged from the draw roll; and controlling the movement of thepressure-application roll by a pre-settable timing signal sent to theposition-setting assembly by a control device.
 20. The method accordingto claim 19, wherein the step of moving the pressure-application roll tothe first position includes the step of moving the pressure-applicationroll from a first engagement pressure to a second engagement pressure,wherein the second engagement pressure is greater than the firstengagement pressure.